August 5th, 2016 Our First Few Days of SAC

Queridos Madres y Padres (“Dear Mom and Dad” for those new to Ladino),

I hope you have gotten the message by now — SAC Will Go On. It has been so wonderful to see the outpouring of love and support from our community and friends. We know that we could not have done it without each of you.

Here’s a quick overview of our activities in the first very full 48 hours of camp:
Beginning with icebreakers at Ezra Bessaroth, we headed out to our first SAC-tivity.  Energy was high and everyone filled with excitement and enthusiasm to be getting camp underway! Older bunks set out for awesome games of whirly ball and younger bunks to ice skating. We arrived at Seattle U, had Mincha/Arvit tefilla, and concluded with a healthy dinner prepared by Shulamit and her outstanding kitchen staff. Everyone had a excellent appetites!
Seattle U has quickly become our home. Campers settled in, showered, and enjoyed very comfortable accommodations in the campus residence hall.

Wednesday continued to be full:
After breakfast and tefilla, we headed out for boating on Greenlake and a picnic lunch by the water. The CITs went on a scavenger hunt in the area. And a highlight of the day, was our first SAC session, which began with a hilarious skit written and directed by Chacham Aryeh Greenberg. Campers and staff starred in the production, which started with 2 Nonnas (grandmothers) from Rhodes and Turkey who met one summer afternoon on a park bench and started up a conversation. Ah dio! The stories, laughter and refrans (Ladino sayings) were plentiful! After a delicious chicken and fasulia (green beans) dinner, the kids were grouped up and went on a photo scavenger hunt around Seattle University. They found Seahawks flags, crossed paths like a ducklings, taught our camp song to staff and much more!

Today we arrived at Camp Solomon Schechter and are settling into the camp. We toured around, met the staff and started to unpack our bags. After a delicious BBQ dinner and fun night activity, we expect an early night for our campers – so that we can have a full day of fun tomorrow!

I don’t know about you – but we can’t wait for Shabbat around here!

Until then, Al Veurmos,
Chana Shefa, Director